Nine inmates at the Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) celebrated an educational milestone on June 6, earning Culinary Arts certificates from Kapiʻolani Community College. The achievement was marked with a graduation ceremony and a luncheon prepared entirely by the students, showcasing their skills and dedication.
“Sometimes it takes a jarring experience in life for somebody to take life more seriously,” said graduate Ronald Graham, who addressed the guests on behalf of his classmates. “When you guys offer opportunities like culinary arts to people in incarceration, you supply us with the strength, hope, and determination we need to stay out of prison and make something of ourselves.”
The six-month, college-level program is led by Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Arts instructor Chef Lee Shinsato and teaches students the fundamentals of cooking, time management, teamwork and kitchen professionalism. Upon completion, students earn 12 college credits, which are recorded on their official University of Hawaiʻi transcripts, providing a pathway to further education and future careers.
At the ceremony, Shinsato applauded all the graduates for their hard work and growth.
“I’m really, really proud of you guys,” Shinsato said. “You guys did a really good job. I can see it in your guys’ eyes that you are proud of yourselves, and I think that’s a big, big deal. You should be proud of yourselves for what you’ve accomplished.”
The graduates prepared savory dishes and sweet desserts. The menu included:
- Somen taco salad
- Giardiniera salad
- BBQ kalua pork quesadillas
- Spam raisu
- Lo mai gai
- Beef moussaka
- Stuffed eggplant
- Honey walnut chicken
- Cream cheese tiramisu
- Watergate salad
- Blueberry cream cheese scones
- “Pineapple sorbet” plantation berry iced tea
The graduates’ family members and loved ones attended the celebration, in addition to Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) officials, social service providers and community partners. Guests included DCR Director Tommy Johnson, DCR Deputy Directors Melanie Martin and Sanna Muñoz, and WCF Warden Sean Ornellas.
“This program truly reflects the mission of the department: to rehabilitate those in our custody and help transform their lives. Programs such as Culinary Arts can lead them to a smooth and successful reentry into the community upon release,” Johnson said.
